Operation apparatus and imaging apparatus

Abstract

To reduce the thickness of a dial in an operation device having the dial mounted with an alternate mechanism.SOLUTION: The operation device 20 includes a dial 22 and a dial lock member 24 having a recessed 24b. The dial 22 is movable in the extending direction of the rotation center line CL of the dial 22, and includes the lock lever member 44 including the button portion 44b that is pushed down by the user and the convex portion 44b that engages with the concave portion 24b of the dial lock member 24 when the button portion 44c is pushed down to bring the dial 22 into the non-rotatable locked state, and the alternate mechanism that brings the dial 22 into the rotatable unlocked state in which the engagement between the convex portion 44b and the concave portion 44c is released by moving the lock lever member 44 after the button portion 24b is pushed down by the user in the locked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operation device and an imaging device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, operating devices equipped with an alternate mechanism have been known. For example, an operating device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to lock a dial so that it cannot be rotated. Specifically, when a user presses down a lock button provided on the dial once, the dial is locked and becomes unrotatable, and when the user presses down the lock button again, the dial returns to a rotatable state. In other words, the alternate mechanism allows the dial to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state or vice versa with a common operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-125307 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the operating device described in Patent Document 1, when a user presses down the lock button, the lock pin comes out of the dial and engages with a lock hole in the case that rotatably supports the dial. This locks the dial so that it cannot rotate. When the user presses down the lock button again, the lock pin comes out of the lock hole and returns to the dial. This unlocks the dial so that it can rotate. For this reason, in the operating device described in Patent Document 1, the lock button and lock pin are detachably connected in the direction of the rotation center line of the dial. In other words, the lock button must first separate from the lock pin. As a result of ensuring the stroke required for this separation, the thickness of the dial (the size in the direction of the rotation center line) becomes large.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the thickness of a dial in an operating device equipped with an alternate mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, The dial and a dial lock member having a recess, The dial is a lock lever member that is movable in the direction of the rotation center line of the dial and includes a button portion that is pressed down by a user, and a protrusion that, when the button portion is pressed down, engages with the recess of the dial lock member to lock the dial so that it cannot rotate; An operating device is provided that includes an alternate mechanism that, when the button portion is pressed down by a user in the locked state, moves the lock lever member, thereby releasing the engagement between the convex portion and the concave portion of the dial and putting the dial into a rotatable unlocked state.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, An imaging device including the above-described operation device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in an operating device having a dial equipped with an alternate mechanism, the thickness of the dial can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of an operating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 3] Exploded perspective view of the operating device [Figure 4] 1 is a bottom perspective view of a dial in an operating device; [Figure 5] Cross section of the dial in the unlocked state [Figure 6A] Upper exploded perspective view of the dial [Figure 6B] Lower perspective exploded view of the dial [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the operating device showing an unlocked state in which the dial is rotatable relative to the dial lock member; [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the operating device showing a locked state in which the dial cannot rotate relative to the dial lock member. [Figure 8] A perspective view of a rotating body included in an alternate mechanism [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the lock lever member showing the engagement portion that engages with the rotating body. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a rotating body support member included in an alternate mechanism; [Figure 10B] A bottom perspective view of the rotating body support member [Figure 10C] Top view of the rotor support member [Figure 10D] Bottom view of the rotor support member [Figure 11A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a rotor support member supporting a rotor; [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the rotating body support member supporting the rotating body; [Figure 11C] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rotor support member supporting the rotor; [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing the movement of the second cam follower portion of the rotating body when the state of the dial changes from the unlocked state to the locked state and back to the unlocked state in this order. [Figure 13A] A cross-sectional view of the dial when the lock lever member is pushed down to the maximum from the unlocked state. [Figure 13B] 13B is a bottom view of the rotor and the rotor support member corresponding to FIG. 13A. [Figure 14A] Cross section of the dial in the locked state [Figure 14B] 14B is a bottom view of the rotor and the rotor support member corresponding to FIG. 14A. [Figure 15A]A cross-sectional view of the dial when the lock lever member is pushed down to the maximum from the locked state. [Figure 15B] 15A and a bottom view of the rotor and the rotor support member. [Figure 16] A diagram for explaining the assembly of the first sub-assembly in the dial [Figure 17] A perspective view of the first subassembly [Figure 18] Diagram for explaining the assembly of the second sub-assembly in the dial [Figure 19] A diagram for explaining the assembly of the first subassembly and the second subassembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0011] The inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] Hereinafter, an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the figure is intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present disclosure and does not limit the embodiment of the present disclosure. The X-axis direction is the front-to-rear direction of the imaging device, the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is the height direction. In this specification, the side of the imaging device where a subject is present is referred to as the "front side," and the side where the imaging device is present is referred to as the "rear side."

[0014] 1, an imaging device 10 according to this embodiment has a housing 12 and a lens mount 14 provided on a front surface 12a of the housing 12 to which a lens barrel (not shown) is detachably attached. The imaging device 10 also has a plurality of operation devices such as buttons for user operation. For example, when a user operates a shutter button 16 provided on a top surface 12b of the housing 12, operation devices 18 and 20, or a touch display and buttons provided on a rear surface 12c of the housing 12, the imaging device 10 executes various functions corresponding to the user's operation.

[0015] From here on, further features of the operation devices 18 and 20 in the imaging device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Note that the operation devices 18 and 20 have substantially the same structure, so only the operation device 20 will be described.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an operating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device. Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a dial in the operating device. And Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dial in an unlocked state.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the operating device 20 includes a dial 22 that is rotated by the user, a dial lock member 24 that selectively restricts the rotation of the dial 22, a bracket member 26 to which the dial lock member 24 is fixed, a contact rotor 28 that has a contact brush (not shown) and detects the rotation angle position of the dial 22, and a circuit board 30 on which an electrode portion formed by gold-plating the copper foil portion on the printed wiring is mounted.

[0018] The dial 22 is supported by a bracket member 26 so as to be rotatable about a rotation center line CL that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaging device 10. As will be described in detail later, the dial 22 is made up of a plurality of components as shown in Fig. 5. The details of the dial 22 will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, the dial lock member 24 is an annular member having a plurality of lock wall portions 24a on its outer periphery, each of which protrudes in the direction of extension of the rotation center line CL of the dial 22 (the Z-axis direction). The plurality of lock wall portions 24a are arranged at intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the dial 22. The dial lock member 24 is fixed to the bracket member 26 via a fixing screw 32.

[0020] Bracket member 26 includes a cylindrical portion 26a that passes through a through-hole (not shown) formed in housing 12, and a fixed portion 26b that is fixed to the inner surface of housing 12 on the opposite side to top surface 12b of housing 12. Also, a cylindrical dial support portion 26d that rotatably supports shaft portion 40b of dial 22 shown in Figure 4 is provided within cylindrical portion 26a. Dial lock member 24 is fixed to boss portion 26e within cylindrical portion 26a of bracket member 26 with fixing screw 32.

[0021] The contact rotor 28 is a so-called rotary switch and includes a threaded portion 28a that is connected to the dial 22. Specifically, the threaded portion 28a engages with a female threaded hole formed in the shaft portion 40b of the dial 22 shown in FIG. 4. The contact rotor 28 is mounted on the circuit board 30 so as to be rotatable about the rotation center line CL relative to the circuit board 30. A contact brush is provided on the surface of the contact rotor 28 that faces the circuit board 30, and the circuit board 30 is provided with multiple electrodes that are selectively electrically connected by the contact brush. As the contact rotor 28 rotates, the contact brush moves around the rotation center line CL and electrically connects two of the multiple electrodes. The electrode portions electrically connected by the contact brush vary depending on the rotational angular position of the contact rotor 28. The rotational angular position of the contact rotor 28 can be detected based on the current flowing through the two electrodes electrically connected by the contact brush. The circuit board 30 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational angular position to a controller including a processor such as a CPU in the imaging device 10. Based on a signal from the circuit board 30, the controller obtains the rotational angle position of the dial 22, which is connected to the contact rotor 28 via its screw portion 28a, and executes an operation corresponding to the rotational angle position of the dial 22. That is, a different operation of the imaging device 10 is assigned to each of a plurality of predetermined rotational angle positions of the dial 22.

[0022] In this embodiment, the dial 22 is biased by a plurality of ball plungers 34 to be positioned at each of a plurality of predetermined rotational angle positions. The ball plunger 34 includes a ball 34a that contacts the dial 22 and a spring 34b that biases the ball 34a toward the dial 22. The ball 34a and the spring 34b are housed in a pocket 26c formed in the cylindrical portion 26a of the bracket member 26. As shown in FIG. 4 , a plurality of recesses 40c into which portions of the balls 34a of the ball plungers 34 fit are provided on the back side of the dial 22, aligned in the rotational direction R1 of the dial 22. The balls 34a of the ball plungers 34 selectively fit into the plurality of recesses 40c, thereby positioning the dial 22 at one of a plurality of predetermined rotational angle positions.

[0023] As described above, the dial 22 can be positioned at each of a plurality of predetermined rotational angle positions via the ball plunger 34. The dial 22 is also configured so that it can be fixed (locked) in a state where it is positioned at any one of the plurality of predetermined rotational angle positions. In other words, the dial 22 is configured so that it cannot be rotated in a positioned state.

[0024] Specifically, the dial 22 is configured to be switched between an unlocked state (rotatable state) and a locked state (non-rotatable state) by user operation. The configuration of the dial 22 will now be described.

[0025] 6A and 6B are exploded perspective views of the dial from above and below.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, the dial 22 includes a dial base 40, a dial cap 42 that is rotated by the user, and a lock lever member 44 for fixing the dial 22 to the dial lock member 24.

[0027] The dial base 40 includes a disk-shaped main body portion 40a, a shaft portion 40b extending from the center of the main body portion 40a in the direction of extension of the rotation center line CL (Z-axis direction) and connecting to the screw portion 28a of the contact rotor 28, and a plurality of recesses 40c that engage with the balls 34a of the ball plunger 34.

[0028] The dial cap 42 includes a top plate 42a and a cylindrical side wall portion 42b that protrudes from the outer periphery of the top plate 42a in the direction of extension of the rotation center line CL. As will be described in detail later, a through-hole 42c is formed in the center of the top plate 42a. In this embodiment, the outer periphery of the side wall portion 42b is knurled. A user grips the outer periphery of the side wall portion 42b of the dial cap 42 and rotates the dial 22 about the rotation center line CL.

[0029] 6A and 6B, the dial cap 42 is also attached to the dial base 40 via a plurality of fixing screws 46. In other words, the dial base 40 and the dial cap 42 are fixed so that they cannot be displaced or rotated relative to each other.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the lock lever member 44 includes a main body portion 44a that is stored in the space between the dial base 40 and the dial cap 42, a button portion 44b that protrudes from the main body portion 44a and passes through the through hole 42c of the dial cap 42, and a plurality of protrusions 44c that engage with the dial lock member 24 to lock the dial 22 so that it cannot rotate.

[0031] In the dial 22, the lock lever member 44 is provided so as to be movable in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (Z-axis direction). Specifically, a main body portion 44a of the lock lever member 44 is provided so as to be movable in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends between the dial base 40 and the dial cap 42.

[0032] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6B, a back surface 42d of a top plate 42a of the dial cap 42 is provided with a plurality of guide pins 42e protruding in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction). A plurality of guide holes 44d guided by the plurality of guide pins 42e are formed in a main body 44a of the lock lever member 44. When the guide pins 42e enter the guide holes 44d, the lock lever member 44 is provided on the dial 22 so as to be movable in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends, with its rotation about the rotation center line CL being restricted. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the lock lever member 44 engages with a notch 40f formed in the outer circumferential edge of the dial base 40 so as to be movable in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends, and its rotation is restricted by the notch 40f.

[0033] The button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 is exposed to the outside through the through-hole 42c of the dial cap 42. The button portion 44b is pressed down by the user. When the button portion 44b is pressed down by the user, the entire lock lever member 44 is pressed down.

[0034] The plurality of protrusions 44c of the lock lever member 44 selectively restrict the rotation of the dial 22 relative to the dial lock member 24.

[0035] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the operating device showing an unlocked state in which the dial can rotate relative to the dial lock member. Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the operating device showing a locked state in which the dial cannot rotate relative to the dial lock member. In Figs. 7A and 7B, dial cap 42 is shown by a two-dot chain line so that the inside of dial 22 can be seen.

[0036] 7A and 7B, the multiple protrusions 44c of the lock lever member 44 selectively engage with the multiple recesses 24b of the dial lock member 24. In the present embodiment, the multiple recesses 24b of the dial lock member 24 are gaps between two lock wall portions 24a that are adjacent to each other in the rotation direction R1 of the dial 22.

[0037] 7A, in the unlocked state, the multiple convex portions 44c of the lock lever member 44 do not enter the multiple concave portions 24b of the dial lock member 24. Therefore, the dial 22 can rotate relative to the dial lock member 24 around the rotation center line CL.

[0038] 7B, in the locked state, the multiple protrusions 44c of the lock lever member 44 are inserted into the multiple recesses 24b. That is, the movement of each of the multiple protrusions 44c in the rotational direction R1 is restricted by the multiple lock walls 24a. Therefore, the dial 22 cannot rotate relative to the dial lock member 24 around the rotation center line CL.

[0039] The dial 22 is configured to alternate between an unlocked state shown in FIG. 7A and a locked state shown in FIG. 7B each time the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44.

[0040] First, when the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 of the dial 22 in the unlocked state shown in Fig. 7A, the entire lock lever member 44 moves downward, and as shown in Fig. 7B, the multiple convex portions 44c of the lock lever member 44 engage with the multiple concave portions 24b of the dial lock member 24. As a result, the dial 22 transitions from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0041] 7B, when the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 of the dial 22 in the locked state, the entire lock lever member 44 moves upward, and as shown in FIG. 7A, the multiple convex portions 44c of the lock lever member 44 move away from the multiple concave portions 24b of the dial lock member 24. As a result, the dial 22 transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0042] The trigger, which is the user's operation of pressing down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44, is the same, but the direction of movement of the lock lever member 44 when transitioning from the unlocked state to the locked state (i.e., downward) is different from the direction of movement of the lock lever member 44 when transitioning from the locked state to the unlocked state (i.e., upward). In order to realize such behavior of the lock lever member 44, the dial 22 includes an alternate mechanism.

[0043] The term "alternate mechanism" refers to a mechanism that transitions the state of the device from a first state to a second state, or vice versa, with the same user operation, for example, on a button. That is, if the device state is in the first state when the user performs an operation, the device transitions from the first state to the second state. Also, if the device state is in the second state when the user performs an operation, the device transitions from the second state to the first state. In this embodiment, if the dial 22 is in the unlocked state when the user presses down the button 44b, the dial 22 transitions from the unlocked state to the locked state. Also, if the dial 22 is in the locked state when the user presses down the button 44b, the dial 22 transitions from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, the dial 22 includes a coil spring (first biasing member) 48 that biases the lock lever member 44. Specifically, the coil spring 48 biases the lock lever member 44 in a direction (first direction) in which the multiple convex portions 44c of the lock lever member 44 engage with the multiple concave portions 24b of the dial lock member 24, i.e., in a direction in which the lock lever member 44 approaches the dial base 40. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the coil spring 48 is disposed between the top plate 42a of the dial cap 42 and the lock lever member 44. Furthermore, the coil spring 48 is inserted into and supported by a guide pin 42e of the dial cap 42.

[0045] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the alternate mechanism of the dial 22 is configured so that, in the unlocked state, it continues to urge the lock lever member 44 in the opposite direction (second direction) to the urging direction of the coil spring 48 with a urging force greater than the urging force of the coil spring 48. Furthermore, the alternate mechanism is configured so that, in the locked state, it releases the urging force applied to the lock lever member 44.

[0046] In this embodiment, the alternate mechanism of the dial 22 includes a rotating body 50 provided between the lock lever member 44 and the dial base 40, a coil spring 52 that biases the rotating body 50, and a rotating body support member 54 that supports the rotating body 50, as shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B.

[0047] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a rotating body included in the alternate mechanism, and Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the lock lever member showing an engaging portion that engages with the rotating body.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, in this embodiment, the rotating body 50 is a cylindrical member. The rotating body 50 has a crown gear-shaped first cam follower portion 50a on an end surface facing the lock lever member 44. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a crown gear-shaped cam portion 44e that can mesh with the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 is formed on a portion of the lock lever member 44 that faces the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50. In this embodiment, the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the cam portion 44e is formed on its inner bottom surface. Therefore, at least a portion of the rotating body 50 is housed within the button portion 44b. As a result, the size of the dial 22 in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction) is smaller than when at least a portion of the rotating body 50 is not housed within the button portion 44b (for example, when the button portion 44b is solid). 5 shows a state in which the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 and the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 are not engaged with each other.

[0049] The rotating body 50 also includes a plurality of second cam follower portions 50b that are convex and protrude outward in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction). The second cam follower portions 50b will be described in detail later.

[0050] The coil spring 52 of the alternate mechanism biases the rotating body 50 toward the lock lever member 44. As shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the coil spring 52 is housed within the cylindrical rotating body 50. As a result, the size of the dial 22 in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction) is smaller than when at least a portion of the coil spring 52 is not housed within the rotating body 50 (for example, when the rotating body 50 is solid). Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the coil spring 52 is inserted into and supported by a support pin 40d that is provided in the main body 40a of the dial base 40 and extends in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction).

[0051] 5, the coil spring 52 also biases the rotating body 50 toward the lock lever member 44 with a biasing force greater than the biasing force of the coil spring 48, which biases the lock lever member 44 toward the rotating body 50. This causes the lock lever member 44 to come into contact with the back surface 42d of the top plate 42a of the dial cap 42. As a result, the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 protrudes to the maximum extent from the through-hole 42c of the dial cap 42, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A. The biasing forces of the coil springs 48 and 52 are set to biasing forces that move the lock lever member 44 when the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 with their fingertip.

[0052] The rotating body support member 54 of the alternate mechanism supports the rotating body 50 so that the rotating body 50 can move in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (Z-axis direction) and can rotate about the rotation center line CL.

[0053] 10A to 10D are an upper perspective view, a lower perspective view, a top view, and a bottom view of a rotating body support member included in the alternate mechanism. Note that in FIGS. 10C and 10D, the rotating body 50 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Also, FIGS. 11A to 11C are an upper perspective view, a lower perspective view, and a bottom view of the rotating body support member in a state in which the rotating body is supported. Note that FIGS. 11A to 11C correspond to FIGS. 5 and 7A and show the rotating body 50 and rotating body support member 54 when the dial 22 is in the unlocked state.

[0054] 10A to 10D, the rotating body support member 54 includes a cylindrical portion 54a that supports the outer peripheral surface 50c of the rotating body 50 shown in Fig. 8 so that the rotating body 50 can move in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction). A plurality of guide grooves 54b that extend in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends and that guide the plurality of second cam follower portions 50b of the rotating body 50 are formed in the cylindrical portion 54a.

[0055] 11A and 11B, while second cam follower portion 50b is present in guide groove 54b, rotating body 50 cannot rotate within cylindrical portion 54a of rotating body support member 54. When rotating body 50 moves in the direction in which rotation center line CL extends (Z-axis direction) and second cam follower portion 50b moves out of guide groove 54b, rotating body 50 becomes rotatable in rotation direction R2 about rotation center line CL, as shown in FIG. 11C. Details of rotation direction R2 will be described later.

[0056] In the present embodiment, a plurality of ribs 44f protruding in the extending direction (Z-axis direction) of the rotation center line CL of the lock lever member 44 shown in Fig. 6B enter some of the guide grooves 54b, thereby restricting the rotation of the lock lever member 44 about the rotation center line CL.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 10B, 10D, 11B, and 11C, the rotor support member 54 includes a cam surface 54c on which the multiple second cam follower portions 50b of the rotor 50, which have come out of the guide grooves 54b, move. The cam surface 54c is formed on the end face of the cylindrical portion 54a (the end face farther from the lock lever member 44). The cam surface 54c includes an inclined surface that extends between the guide grooves 54b in the rotational direction R2 of the rotor 50. As will be described in detail later, the second cam follower portions 50b that have come out of the guide grooves 54b move to a position facing the cam surface 54c and are then pressed against the cam surface 54c by the biasing force of the coil spring 52. The pressed second cam follower portions 50b slide on the cam surface 54c in the rotational direction R2 due to the inclination of the cam surface 54c. As a result, the entire rotor 50 rotates about the rotation center line CL. In this embodiment, a stepped stopper portion 54d that limits the movement of the second cam follower portion 50b is provided at approximately the center of the inclined surface of the cam surface 54c.

[0058] From here, the movements of the components of the dial 22 when transitioning from the locked state to the unlocked state and from the unlocked state to the locked state will be described. The explanation will be based on the movement of the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50.

[0059] 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the movement of the second cam follower portion of the rotating body 50 when the dial state changes from the unlocked state to the locked state and back to the unlocked state in that order. That is, the diagram illustrates the movement of the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 when viewed from the rotation center line CL along the cylindrical portion 54a of the rotating body support member 54.

[0060] First, when the dial 22 is in the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body 44a of the lock lever member 44 contacts the back surface 42d of the top plate 42a of the dial cap 42, and is farthest from the dial base 40. As a result, the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 protrudes to the maximum extent from the through-hole 42c of the dial cap 42. The rotating body 50 is also farthest from the dial base 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 is located at position P0 within the guide groove 54b of the rotating body support member 54. When the second cam follower portion 50b is located at position P0, the rotating body 50 cannot rotate about the rotation center line CL. 11A, the cylindrical portion 54a of the rotating body support portion 54 has a height (size in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (Z-axis direction)) that prevents the rotating body 50 from slipping out of the cylindrical portion 54a when the rotating body 50 is at its farthest distance from the dial base 40. As shown in FIG. 7A, the convex portion 44c of the dial cap 42 does not enter the concave portion 24b of the dial lock member 24. The cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 do not mesh with each other.

[0061] When the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 of the dial 22 in the unlocked state shown in Fig. 5, the lock lever member 44 presses down the rotating body 50. As a result, as shown in Fig. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 moves toward the dial base 40 within the guide groove 54b of the rotating body support member 54. Note that in Fig. 12, the movement path of the second cam follower portion 50b is indicated by a solid arrow and a dashed arrow. The solid arrow indicates the movement path when a pressing force (pressing force from the user's finger) is acting on the button portion 44b, and the dashed arrow indicates the movement path when no pressing force is acting on the button portion 44b.

[0062] 12, when the user continues to press down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 reaches a position P1 outside the guide groove 54b of the rotating body support member 54. This causes the rotating body 50 to become rotatable about the rotation center line CL.

[0063] When the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 reaches position P1, the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50, which are not currently engaged, begin to engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, in order to engage with each other, the rotating body 50 begins to rotate in rotational direction R2. At this time, because the user continues to press down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44, the lock lever member 44 and the rotating body 50 both move toward the dial base 40, while the rotating body 50 rotates in rotational direction R2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 moves to position P2 between the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54 and the dial base 40 (however, it does not contact the cam surface 54c). The tooth shapes of the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 are designed so that the rotating body 50 rotates in the rotation direction R2 when they mesh.

[0064] Fig. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the dial when the lock lever member is pushed down to the maximum from the unlocked state, and Fig. 13B is a bottom view of the rotor and rotor support member corresponding to Fig. 13A.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 13A, when the lock lever member 44 is pressed down to its maximum by the pressing force F from the user, that is, when the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 is located at position P2 as shown in FIG. 12, the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 are engaged. At this time, the lock lever member 44 comes into contact with the dial base 40, limiting further depression of the lock lever member 44 by the user (note that the cross section shown in FIG. 13A does not show the contact between the lock lever member 44 and the dial base 40). Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 54a of the rotating body support member 54 enters the recess 44g formed in the lock lever member 44. That is, when the lock lever member 44 and the rotating body support member 54 are closest to each other, they partially overlap. As a result, the thickness of the dial 22 (the size in the direction of extension of the rotation center line CL (Z-axis direction)) can be reduced without reducing the stroke of the lock lever member 44. Furthermore, coil spring 52 is maximally compressed. As shown in Fig. 13B, when viewed in the direction in which rotation center line CL extends (Z-axis direction), each of multiple second cam follower portions 50b of rotating body 50 faces cam surface 54c of rotating body support member 54.

[0066] 13A, when the lock lever member 44 is pressed down to the maximum by the pressing force F from the user and then the pressing force F is released (for example, when the user's finger is released from the button portion 44b), the urging force of the coil spring 52 moves the rotating body 50 and the lock lever member 44 in a direction away from the dial base 40. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 comes into contact with the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54 (position P3).

[0067] As shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b in contact with the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54 (at position P3) is biased toward the cam surface 54c by the coil spring 52, and therefore slides on the inclined cam surface 54c. This causes the rotating body 50 to rotate about the rotation center line CL, and the engagement between the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 is released. When the second cam follower portion 50b comes into contact with the stopper portion 54d on the cam surface 54c, the sliding of the second cam follower portion 50b on the cam surface 54c stops, i.e., the rotation of the rotating body 50 stops (position P4). When the second cam follower portion 50b is located at position P4, the dial 22 is in the locked state.

[0068] Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional view of the dial in the locked state, and Fig. 14B is a bottom view of the rotor and rotor support member corresponding to Fig. 14A.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 12, when the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 is in contact with the stopper portion 54d on the cam surface 54c (position P4), the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 are not engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 14A. The button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 is lower than the position of the button portion 44b in the unlocked state (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line). The protrusion portion 44c of the lock lever member 44 is lower than the position of the protrusion portion 44c in the unlocked state (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line). This is because, as shown in FIG. 14B, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 is caught on the cam surface 54c and the stopper portion 54d of the rotating body support member 54, preventing the rotating body 50 from being pushed up or rotated by the coil spring 50. As a result, the rotating body 50 cannot push the lock lever member 44 forward until the main body 44a of the lock lever member 44 contacts the back surface 42d of the top plate 42a of the dial cap 42. In other words, the biasing force of the coil spring 52 on the lock lever member 44 via the rotating body 50 is released. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tip of the convex portion 44c of the lock lever member 44 is positioned within the concave portion 24b of the dial lock member 24. This locks the dial 22 so that it cannot rotate.

[0070] 14A, the main body 44a of the lock lever member 44 does not contact the back surface 42d of the top plate 42a of the dial cap 42. However, the biasing force of the coil spring 48 maintains contact between the lock lever member 44 and the rotating body 50. Furthermore, even if the imaging device 10 is turned upside down, the weight of the lock lever member 44 does not substantially compress and deform the coil spring 48. In other words, the total load of the multiple coil springs 48 is greater than the weight of the lock lever member 44. As a result, when in the locked state, the lock lever member 44 cannot move freely.

[0071] 5, in the unlocked state, the main body 44a of the lock lever member 44 is pressed by the rotating body 50, which is biased by the coil spring 52, and continues to contact the back surface 42d of the top plate 42a of the dial cap 42. As a result, in the unlocked state, the lock lever member 44 cannot move freely.

[0072] In this way, the lock lever member 44 cannot move freely in either the locked or unlocked state. Therefore, even if the posture of the imaging device 10 changes in various ways, the lock lever member 44 does not move under its own weight. This prevents unintended unlocking and the generation of rattling noises that may occur when the lock lever member 44 moves freely in response to various changes in the posture of the imaging device 10.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14A, the amount of protrusion of the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 from the through-hole 42c of the dial cap 42 differs between the locked state and the unlocked state, so the user can tell whether the dial 22 is in the locked state or the unlocked state from the amount of protrusion of the button portion 44b.

[0074] With the dial 22 in the locked state shown in Fig. 14A, when the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 moves from position P4, as shown in Fig. 12. When the second cam follower portion 50b moves away from the stopper portion 54d (position P5), the rotating body 50 becomes rotatable in the rotation direction R2 about the rotation center line CL.

[0075] When the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 reaches position P5, the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50, which are not currently engaged, begin to engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 14A. Specifically, in order to engage with each other, the rotating body 50 begins to rotate in rotational direction R2. At this time, because the user continues to press down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44, the lock lever member 44 and the rotating body 50 both move toward the dial base 40, while the rotating body 50 rotates in rotational direction R2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 moves to position P6 between the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54 and the dial base 40 (however, it does not contact the cam surface 54c).

[0076] Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the dial when the lock lever member is pressed down to the maximum from the locked state, and Fig. 15B is a bottom view of the rotor and rotor support member corresponding to Fig. 15A.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 15A, when the lock lever member 44 is pressed down to its maximum by the pressing force F from the user, that is, when the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 is located at position P6 as shown in FIG. 12, the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 are engaged. At this time, the lock lever member 44 comes into contact with the dial base 40, thereby restricting further depression of the lock lever member 44 by the user (note that the cross section shown in FIG. 15A does not show contact between the lock lever member 44 and the dial base 40). Furthermore, the coil spring 52 is compressed to its maximum. As shown in FIG. 15B, when viewed in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction), each of the second cam follower portions 50b of the rotating body 50 faces the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54, passing the stopper portion 54d in the rotation direction R2.

[0078] 15A, when the lock lever member 44 is pressed down to the maximum by the pressing force F from the user and then the pressing force F is released, the rotating body 50 and the lock lever member 44 move in a direction away from the dial base 40 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 52. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 comes into contact with the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54 (position P7).

[0079] As shown in FIG. 12, the second cam follower portion 50b, which is in contact with the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54 (at position P7), slides on the inclined cam surface 54c because it is biased toward the cam surface 54c by the coil spring 52. This causes the rotating body 50 to rotate about the rotation center line CL, and the engagement between the cam portion 44e of the lock lever member 44 and the first cam follower portion 50a of the rotating body 50 is released. Finally, the second cam follower portion 50b leaves the cam surface 54c and enters the guide groove 54b (position P8) (see FIG. 11A). As a result, the dial 22 enters the unlocked state, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A.

[0080] That is, when the user presses down the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 twice, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 moves from one guide groove 54b of the rotating body support member 54 to the adjacent guide groove 54b.

[0081] From here, the assembly of the dial 22 will be explained.

[0082] Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of a first subassembly in the dial. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the first subassembly. Fig. 18 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of a second subassembly in the dial. And Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the first subassembly and the second subassembly.

[0083] First, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, to create a first subassembly 60 for the dial 22, the rotating body 50, coil spring 52, and rotating body support member 54 are assembled to the dial base 40. Specifically, first, the rotating body support member 54 is attached to the dial base 40 by snap engagement. For this purpose, the dial base 40 is provided with a snap claw 40e that hooks onto the dial base 40 to prevent the rotating body support member 54 from coming off the dial base 40. When the rotating body support member 54 is attached and fixed to the dial base 40, the support pin 40d of the dial base 40 is housed in the cylindrical portion 54a of the rotating body support member 54.

[0084] Next, the coil spring 52 is set inside the cylindrical portion 54a of the rotating body support member 54. Subsequently, the rotating body 50 is set so as to cover the tip of the coil spring 52. At this time, the rotating body 50 and coil spring 52 are inserted and supported by the support pin 40d of the dial base 40. In addition, the cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 is inserted through the guide groove 54b of the rotating body support member 54 and rotated until it engages with the stopper portion 54d, thereby temporarily assembling it inside the cylindrical portion 54a.

[0085] Then, the rotating body 50 is pushed toward the dial base 40 against the biasing force of the coil spring 52. At this time, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 moves within the guide groove 54b of the cylindrical portion 54a of the rotating body support member 54. When the second cam follower portion 50b passes through the guide groove 54b, the rotating body 50 rotates and the second cam follower portion 50b hooks onto the cam surface 54c of the rotating body support member 54. Thereafter, because the rotating body 50 is biased by the coil spring 52, the second cam follower portion 50b of the rotating body 50 slides on the cam surface 54c and finally hooks onto the stopper portion 54d. As a result, the first subassembly 60 shown in FIG. 17 is completed.

[0086] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, to produce a second subassembly 62 for the dial 22, the coil spring 48 and the lock lever member 44 are assembled to the dial cap 42. First, the dial cap 42 is set with the guide pin 42e facing upward. Next, the coil spring 48 is set on the back surface 42d of the dial cap 42 so that it is inserted into the guide pin 42e. Then, the lock lever member 44 is set on the dial cap 42 so that the guide pin 42e, with the coil spring 48 inserted therethrough, enters the guide hole 44d. At this time, the lock lever member 44 is supported from below by the coil spring 48. As a result, the second subassembly 62 is completed.

[0087] As shown in Figure 19, the first subassembly 60 is assembled to the second subassembly 62. That is, the first subassembly 60, with the shaft portion 40b of the dial base 40 facing upward, is set to the second subassembly 62, with the guide pin 42e of the dial cap 42 facing upward. Then, the first subassembly 60 is fixed to the second subassembly 62 via the fixing screw 46. As a result, the dial 22 is completed.

[0088] According to the present embodiment as described above, in an operating device 20 including a dial 22 equipped with an alternate mechanism, the thickness of the dial 22 can be reduced. Specifically, the button portion 44b that the user presses down to switch the state of the dial from an unlocked state to a locked state or vice versa, and the convex portion 44c for selectively fixing the dial 22 to the dial lock member 24 are different parts of a single component, the lock lever member 44. Therefore, the button portion 44b does not separate from the convex portion 44c. As a result, a stroke of the button portion 44b for this separation is not required, and the thickness of the dial 22 (the size in the direction in which the rotation center line CL extends (the Z-axis direction)) is reduced.

[0089] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these.

[0090] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the alternate mechanism of the dial 22 is composed of the rotating body 50, the coil spring 52, and the rotating body support member 54. However, the alternate mechanism is not limited to this. The structure of the alternate mechanism is not limited as long as it can move the lock lever member 44 in a direction that releases the engagement between the convex portion 44c of the lock lever member 44 and the concave portion 24b of the dial lock member 24 after the button portion 44b of the lock lever member 44 is pressed down by the user in the locked state.

[0091] That is, an operating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure broadly includes a dial and a dial lock member having a recess, wherein the dial is movable in the direction of extension of the rotation center line of the dial, a button portion that is pressed down by a user, and a lock lever member having a convex portion that engages with the recess of the dial lock member when the button portion is pressed down to lock the dial so that it cannot rotate, and an alternate mechanism that, when the button portion is pressed down by the user in the locked state, moves the lock lever member to release the engagement between the convex portion and the recess, thereby putting the dial into an unlocked state in which it can rotate.

[0092] As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as examples of the technology of the present disclosure. For this purpose, drawings and detailed descriptions are provided. Therefore, the components described in the drawings and detailed descriptions may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the above-described technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the drawings or detailed descriptions should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0093] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0094] The present disclosure is applicable to imaging devices that include a dial. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 20 Operating device 22 Dial 24 Dial lock member 24b Recess 44 Lock lever member 44b Button section 44c convex part

Claims

1. The dial and a dial lock member having a recess, The dial is a lock lever member that is movable in the direction of the rotation center line of the dial and includes a button portion that is pressed down by a user, and a protrusion that, when the button portion is pressed down, engages with the recess of the dial lock member to lock the dial so that it cannot rotate; an alternate mechanism that, when in the locked state, moves the lock lever member after the button portion is pressed down by a user, thereby disengaging the convex portion from the concave portion, thereby placing the dial in a rotatable unlocked state.

2. the dial includes a first biasing member that biases the lock lever member in a first direction in which the protrusion engages with the recess, the alternate mechanism biases the lock lever member in a second direction opposite to the first direction with a biasing force greater than the biasing force of the first biasing member in the unlocked state, and releases the biasing force on the lock lever member in the locked state. The operating device according to claim 1 .

3. The alternate mechanism is A rotating body; a rotor support member that supports the rotor so that the rotor can move in the direction of the rotation center line and can rotate around the rotation center line; a second biasing member that biases the rotating body toward the lock lever member, the rotating body includes a crown gear-shaped first cam follower portion provided on an end surface facing the lock lever member, and a convex second cam follower portion protruding in a direction intersecting with an extension direction of the rotation center line, the lock lever member includes a crown gear-shaped cam portion that can mesh with the first cam follower portion of the rotating body, the rotating body support member comprises: a cylindrical portion that supports an outer peripheral surface of the rotating body so as to be movable in the direction of extension of the rotation center line; a guide groove that is formed in the cylindrical portion so as to extend in the direction of extension of the rotation center line and that guides the second cam follower portion of the rotating body; and a cam surface that is formed on an end surface of the cylindrical portion and on which the second cam follower portion of the rotating body follows; The operating device according to claim 2 , wherein the cam surface of the rotating body support member includes an inclined surface that extends in the rotational direction of the rotating body and is inclined.

4. The button portion of the lock lever member is cylindrical with a bottom, The operating device according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the rotating body is housed within the button portion.

5. The rotating body is cylindrical, The operating device according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the second biasing member is housed within the rotating body.

6. The dial is a dial base rotatably supported by the dial lock member; a dial cap that is fixed to the dial base, has a through hole through which the button portion of the lock lever member passes, and is rotated by a user; The operating device according to claim 3 , wherein the dial base includes a support pin that extends in the direction of extension of the rotation center line and supports the second biasing member.

7. the dial cap includes a guide pin extending in the direction of the rotation center line, the lock lever member has a guide hole into which the guide pin is inserted, The operating device according to claim 6 , wherein the first biasing member is supported by the guide pin.

8. The operating device according to claim 6 , wherein the rotary body support member is fixed to the dial base by snap engagement.

9. The second biasing member is a coil spring, The operating device according to claim 6 , wherein the support pin of the dial base is inserted into the coil spring and the rotating body.

10. The operating device according to claim 3 , wherein the lock lever member has a recess into which the cylindrical portion of the rotating body support member enters when the button portion is pressed down.

11. The operating device according to claim 3 , wherein the biasing force of the second biasing member against the rotating body is greater than the biasing force of the first biasing member against the lock lever member.

12. The operating device according to claim 3 , wherein the load of the first biasing member is greater than the weight of the lock lever member.

13. An imaging device comprising the operation device according to claim 1 .

Images